I am Peter, and I have walked on water. For a few glorious steps, I did the impossible - until I took my eyes off Jesus. Let me tell you what happened that night on the Sea of Galilee.
We had just witnessed Jesus feed over five thousand people with five loaves and two fish. The crowds were amazed, and talk of making Him king spread through the multitude. But Jesus withdrew to a mountain to pray alone. He sent us ahead in the boat, telling us to go to the other side of the sea.
We rowed into the evening, into the night. Then the wind turned against us. What began as a breeze became a gale. The sea churned. Our boat was tossed like a cork. We had faced storms before - several of us were seasoned fishermen - but this was severe. We rowed for hours, making little progress, exhausted and afraid.
In the fourth watch of the night - sometime between three and six in the morning - we saw something that made our blood run cold. A figure walking on the water, coming toward us. 'It's a ghost!' someone cried. We screamed in terror.
Immediately, a voice cut through the wind: 'Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.'
I knew that voice. It was Jesus. But how could this be? Men don't walk on water. Yet here He was, striding across the waves as if they were solid ground.
Something welled up inside me - faith mixed with recklessness, wonder tinged with doubt. 'Lord, if it is You,' I called out, 'command me to come to You on the water.'
'Come,' He said.
I climbed over the side of the boat. My foot touched the water - and held. I took a step, then another. I was walking on the sea! The waves that had been trying to swamp our boat were firm beneath my feet. My eyes were fixed on Jesus, and the impossible was happening.
Then I noticed the wind. I felt the spray. I looked down at the churning water and suddenly realized what I was doing - what no human being should be able to do. Fear flooded my heart. Immediately, I began to sink.
'Lord, save me!' I cried.
Instantly, Jesus reached out His hand and caught me. 'O you of little faith,' He said, 'why did you doubt?'
We climbed into the boat together. The moment Jesus stepped aboard, the wind stopped. The sea calmed. We who moments before had been terrified now fell down and worshiped Him. 'Truly You are the Son of God,' we said.
I have thought about that night many times since. I am the only person besides Jesus who ever walked on water. But I am also the one who sank. Both are part of my story. I had enough faith to get out of the boat, but not enough to keep walking.
Yet here is the grace: even when my faith faltered, Jesus was there to catch me. He didn't let me drown. He didn't condemn me for doubting. He simply reached out His hand.
Whatever storm you're facing, whatever waves threaten to overwhelm you, keep your eyes on Jesus. And if you start to sink, cry out to Him. His hand is always ready to catch you.